For the first time, mosquitoes have been confirmed in Iceland, a country previously considered one of only two mosquito-free zones in the world, alongside Antarctica.
The discovery was made by insect enthusiast Bjorn Hjaltason, who found three specimens—two females and one male—using wine-soaked ropes to attract insects. The species was later identified by the Icelandic Institute of Natural History as Culiseta annulata, a type capable of surviving winter.
This finding follows a record-breaking spring heatwave in Iceland, which saw temperatures soar to 26.6°C (79.8°F) in May and exceed 20°C for ten consecutive days. Experts note that Iceland’s cold climate and lack of stagnant water historically prevented mosquitoes from establishing themselves. The unprecedented warmth, linked to human-driven climate change, may have created suitable conditions for them.
While it is unclear how the mosquitoes arrived, further monitoring is required to see if a permanent population becomes established, signaling a potential shift for Iceland’s delicate ecosystem.
